Race car driver Danica Patrick got a new title. No, she’s not changing sports.
But in a full-page advertisement placed in the Indianapolis Star this week, she’s now being called an “Elite IndyCar Driver.”
Patrick is one of nine featured speakers at the Get Motivated Business Seminar Oct. 25 at Conseco Fieldhouse. The full-page ad has been running for weeks, and until this week, Patrick was tabbed as an “Elite NASCAR Driver.” I know, it’s part of a national ad campaign, but it’s still inexcusable to come into IndyCar country and call Patrick an elite NASCAR driver.
After all, her only victory to date has come behind the wheel of an IndyCar. That was in Motegi, Japan, in 2008. I was a bit harsh on Patrick last week when I pointed out the NASCAR reference in the ad.
But I also said Patrick has potential, not only as a marketer, but as a driver. And I said she should get credit for the things she does right. Well, she didn’t win this year’s race at Motegi, which was held last weekend, but for those who stayed up extra late or got up in the small hours to watch the race, you’d have to admit, Patrick did a nice job steering the car through traffic to a top-five finish.
So score one for Danica, who is showing flashes of being an “Elite IndyCar Driver.” And score one for the promoters of the Get Motivated Business Seminar for getting their wheels straightened out.
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96 start in 6 seasons.
1 win in an 18 car field at Japan.
3 Poles.
14 races in which she has led.
Running at the end 29 percent of the time.
I would say "Journeyman Indy Car Driver Danica Patrick" would be a truthful ad. Truth in advertising, truth in advertising....
He has a Milka room for his own enjoyment at home!
So, yes. The percentage is higher. 61 percent of the time she has gone out.
Unable to finish nearly thwo-thirds of the races.
The stat is higher than my typo. Correct. A "very high" stat, mmmmmmm not so much.
Danica Patrick The Elite. 96 races, 1 win. Fails to finish 61 percent of the time.
Elite.
Sweet.........
Who's up next? I'm waiting.
Scott Dixon, Dario Franchitti, Helio Carto Nevese....them are hardly elite IRL drivers and certainly wouldn't want to step in the Danica spotlight. Good lord, anyone who EVER turned a wrench or drove a car in the 500 over the past 100 years must be spinning in their graves OR puking their guts out today.
The IRL...errr, IndyCar is THE most pathetic thing ever. That Danica commercial with the crew wearing skirts and high heels is closer to the truth than I ever thought...
2005: 12 of 17 (4 crash, 1 mechanical)
2006: 12 of 13 (1 fuel)
2007: 14 of 17 (3 crashes)
2008: 15 of 17 (1 crash, 1 mechanical)
2009: 16 of 17 (1 crash)
2010: 16 of 16
Total: 85 of 97 = 88%
19%... don't let facts get in the way.
2005: 2805 of 3140 (90.8%)
2006: 2299 of 2510 (91.6%)
2007: 2709 of 2933 (92.4%)
2008: 2779 of 2860 (97.2%)
2009: 2699 of 2788 (96.8%)
2010: 2208 of 2214 (99.7%)
Total: 15,499 of 16,445 (94.2%)
Let's compare with... Tony Kanaan, an IRL champion:
2005: 2854 of 3140 (90.9%)
2006: 2296 of 2510 (91.5%)
2007: 2594 of 2933 (88.4%)
2008: 2724 of 2860 (95.2%)
2009: 2371 of 2788 (85.0%)
2010: 2213 of 2214 (100.0%)
Total: 15,052 of 16,445 (91.5%)
So, someone say again was the point that Danica can't complete her races... when she has a better completion rate than a series champion?
2010 15
Total: 28
She has competed in 96 races.
Something is stinky in Indy.
Using the same OFFICIAL results you claim to be using from the IRL, they show the following for Danica Patrick:
2005 = 6/17 races completed
2006 = 8/13 races completed
2007 = 10/17 races completed
2008 = 9/18 races completed
2009 = 11/17 races completed
2010 = 11/16 races completed
Total = 55/98 races completed
Doing simple basic math, that's 56%. To prove a point, however, I only counted the races completed. Meaning this is the amount of races she finished on the lead lap.
You, however, seem to think she can't even finish a race. You even have on one of your posts that 61% of the time she has gone out. So let's see how many races she finished with the official status of "Running":
2005: 16/17 races finished
2006: 12/13 races finished
2007: 14/17 races finished
2008: 16/18 races finished
2009: 16/17 races finished
2010: 16/16 races finished
Total: 90/98
Again, using basic first grade math, that shows she finishes 92% of the races she starts in, well above Scott Dixon's 84% you say he has.
As before, I think Scott Dixon is probably the best driver in the IRL, with Helio close behind.
But for future reference, if you want to try to win an argument, it's best not to make up easily verifiable facts.
Burl HatterleySeptember 22, 2010 12:39 AM
Running At Finish: 2005-2009 13
2010 15
Total: 28
She has competed in 96 races.
Something is stinky in Indy. "
The race on Saturday was her 32nd consecutive race running at the finish, extending the IRL record she holds. Even if she didn't finish a single race in 2005, 2006, 2007, or 2008, that's still more races than you say she's finished.
I think you're looking at the wrong numbers somewhere. Can you post the link you're using for your stats?
Yep, she's the cream of the IRL crop. I'm willing to bet Sarah Fisher has a more impressive resume. Or maybe even Milka Duno.
Statistics Reports
Stat Central on the right hand side of the page.
Driver Records
Use the down arrow to get to the Danica Patrick stat sheet.
So on eof two things here: Either Danica Patrick is the loser driver who cannot complete more than 29 percent of the races. Or the IRL is the loser league who cannot even get the stats right on their most famous driver.
Either way both stink. And I cannot verify if she finishes the races or not since I do not watch this stinkpie of a league much anymore. I have only watched Indy and Kentucky this year and listened to Texas on the radio. The rest? Ahhhh who cares? Horribly contrived racing in ugly cars with guys noboyd cares about named Vitor, Francesco, and Rafa. Geez Louise, I forgot about Bertrand! There's some mania for you! Back to Patrick. I just provided the stats the league provides. Hmmm....maybe she does finish most fo the races. Maybe she does not. I don't know. This year it appears she has finished them all. To that end, being on one of the top three teams, and with wads of sponsorship money to keep the car on the track, with a proen winner as an owner and top-shelf personnel to help, AND a host of gimmes such as paddle shift, push-to-pass, and CarpenterPole Honda Specials, she STILL cannot get to the flag first. ZERO wins. Danica is real good at driving around and staying out of trouble. Actually, she is perfect for the NASCAR style of "ridin' around out there" to get them valuable Cup points, but she cannot even do that well.
Danica needs to leave the sport. She has earned millions. She can sit back and run shifters at a local kart track for her racing kicks. She is not major league, top shelf material. She is far from Elite and all she will have to show for being used by the IRL is a bankload of money. At least she got what should be lifetime financial security out of the deal. Otherwise, she was used up by the IRL like a convention goer uses a Vegas "dolly".
zzzzzzzzzzzz
Loser!
2 - Suffers from a delusional state of mind.
3 - Hampered by arrested development/maturity.
I just report the facts, as stated, in the IRL website. BerwickGirl, you are not employed by the IzodLeague Car thing are you?
This website is about your level of work, that is why I ask.
Whatever the case, Danica, no Danica, stats, races, whatever it may be, NOBODY cares! Word from Indy is the Japan race was a .18!
Not to mention the fact that you've been proven wrong in your conclusions. Why would you trust the source you despise? Makes a lot of sense - NOT...
Sorry you've missed out on so much of life, Mr. Miserly.
Oh well.....
You should really quit teasing the trolls. they really get excited and actually believe the IRL will fold and IMS will become a strip mall. Well except for Chief, he is just waiting for TG and the IRL to apologize for their transgressions against him. Seems he had his feelings hurt and wants them to make him feel better. Poor little feller. Good Luck.
Feeding their delusion is just cruel.
Let me get this straight....Radio, TV, and print advertisements didn't sell this race and the IRL accuses ISC of not doing enough research into who the prospective fans are for IndyCar races?
Shouldn't the IRL have the research completed already? With the lack of a visible TV presence, NO sizable fanbase, crap cars from 10 years ago, unrecognizable foreign drivers in fgoreign Fomula 1 type rea engined chassis powered by a foreign engine manufacturer.....geez, I don't know....maybe THATS why ISC don't know how to market them. IRL oval races were the WORST attended, worst TV rating s ever.
Yet the IRL BLAMES ISC for it's troubles? F1 and NASCAR drew hundreds of thousands...why not the IRL? Randy Bernard...YOU should know why..SHAME ON YOU!
So, Danica is an ELITE IRL driver huh? How do YOU, the IRL Defender, how do you define the characteristics necessary for a person such as Danika to qualify as an IRL ELITE DRIVER? If you donned an IRL driver suit, would YOU too qualify as ELITE IRL DRIVER?
...if they could find one big enough....
A. Referring tongue-in-cheek to Danica Patrick as a 'broad?'
B. Listing the name of each and every nobody who ever raced in Indy Car before there was an IRL?
C. Referring to the Ziglar advertising as false, misleading and disingenuous?
Curious indeed. But why publish intelligent, witty satire when we can be assaulted with Indy Car-obsessed, borderline incoherent slamming all day?
LOL.
I have to agree, why would the IRL expect the track, acting as the promter, to market the race. I mean I am sure radio and tv will do the marketing for free. Why expect the promoter to promote the race at their track.
So what I ask you should have been done to make the IRL appealing to Western New York race fans? Let me remind you that TORONTO used to get 175,000 attendees for CART...yet the IRL can only get 15,000 to 20,000. Is Andretti Green not reaching IRL fanbase in Canada too?
It's the product and it's ill-perceived ELITE drivers, cars, engines, and all the tainted waste from that the IRL is that turns fans off. Stop blaming ISC for stoopid decision making they do at 16th and Jonestown.
I say exploit it some more.
Since Danica entered the series, the series has left more tracks and markets than in the previous 10 years of the IRL.
So sure, it must be working...just like the 10 year Versus contract, and all the other tripe the IRL PR throws out.
So, do like Defender sez, EXPLOIT DANICA for as much as you can IRL, and as much as she's worth. She's the ELITE IRL driver after all.
Unless she wins on a consistant basis...that's all it'll be to real race fans...just another IRL GIMMICK.
Certainly "exploit" isn't the image the IRL needs..is it?
Seriously, if we are talking about perceived civility here how could you or those higher on the IBJ food chain possibly take umbrage at my prose but let the meandering of haters pollute the comment section any time the words 'Indy Racing' are mentioned? That defies common sense and logic. I am more than happy to take this off line so as not offend the delicate sensibilities of anyone. My e-mail address is actually legit.
Nowthen, Chief...
You asked the following 'Defender....uhhh, how do YOU, the IRL Defender, how do you define the characteristics necessary for a person such as Danika to qualify as an IRL ELITE DRIVER?'
I would say an IRL Elite Driver is one with multiple wins, a good qualifying record, a good finishing record, and a personality that resonates with the masses. Danica has won ONE race, but has multiple poles, multiple top 10s, a pretty good finishing record, and she definitely resonates with the public. More than ANY other driver in either Indy Car, NASCAR or Formula 1. Why else would NASCAR keep claiming her as their own? I hate the idea of a popularity contest too, but it is what it is. Capeche?
You then said: 'Certainly "exploit" isn't the image the IRL needs..is it?' Why not? NASCAR does it. Zig Ziglar does it. Most anyone with a product to sell does it If the IZOD Indy Car Series is as close to death as you and your little friends claim it is, why wouldn't Randy and crew ride that gravy train for all it's worth?
As far as exploiting, that is what every race series does. NASCAR exploits the series so much it would make PT Barnum proud.
-Robbie Buhl needs to go
-It needs to be on a regular tier channel
-Do something about the ugly car
-Scott Goodyear has to go
-Marty Reid has to go
-ABC coverage has to go
-Make the series important again
-Stop lying to the fans
-Stop acting like it doesn't suck
-Open the rules up, allow for SOME competition, ANYTHING to change it up
There's more of course....
Actually, he has a wealth of experience and is recognized across disciplines. Who would be better?
'-Robbie Buhl needs to go'
I believe he adds a fresh perspective. Do you like Beekhuis? Lindy?
'-It needs to be on a regular tier channel'
Like....? 5 are on ABC, but you're right. They and ESPN are the most irresponsible, unprofessional 'partners' in the history of television.
'-Do something about the ugly car'
It looks like an Indy Car. It's getting changed in 2012. Many manufacturers have expressed interest.
'-Scott Goodyear has to go'
Absolutely.
'-Marty Reid has to go'
Seconded.
'-ABC coverage has to go'
...been trumpeting that for years. Hopefully the Comcast/NBC/Universal linkage gets exploited.
'-Make the series important again'
For whom? Disenfranchised cart enthusiasts who refuse to budge from 1995? They don't matter. The 100th anniversary of the event that birthed the sport as we know it will be very special.
'-Stop lying to the fans'
Who is lying, and what are they lying about?
'-Stop acting like it doesn't suck'
As a seasoned veteran fan who began walking through the gates when all engines were in the front and all of them were Offies, I can honestly say I have fully supported each evolutionary iteration. The current package is no different. Any real racing fan gets it. Haters obviously do not. That is a shame. I do not like my sport sullied by the ignorant and hostile.
'-Open the rules up, allow for SOME competition, ANYTHING to change it up'
2012 is just around the corner. It should be as great as some of the other evolutionary cycles.
Above all, keep watching!
The folks at that track must not know how to market the series either.
Defender...unless those changes are made this series CAN NOT move forward, regardless of whether you're a IRL lover or hater. FACTS don't lie....the series needs to make drastic evolutionary changes because it's been rejected by AOW fans in total. Ratings and attendance bare that out.
Amagione a major league pitcher with one win being called and elite baseball player.
The more ignorant among us for some reason equate their perception of Indy Car in general with desperation where teh elevation of Danica is concerned. Oh well. As long as she can drive blindly into turn one at 220 mph in traffic and come out the other side a few hundred times a year, she will have earned her stripes several times over, despite the bleating of various obsessed chicken littles.
Some other issues with Chiefs thoughts.
Top Tier Channel. Other than NASCAR, is there any other racing series that has a higher percentage of races on a Top Tier Channel?
ABC Coverage has got to go. But yet you criticize VS. coverage which is widely hailed as very high quality and quantity. ABC's coverage across the board in sports is going down hill. Cost cutting is my guess, like most media outlets.
Open up the rules. In an era where all major racing series are looking at cost containment, including the vaunted F1, you want them to let the costs escalate? That is one of the ways cart/ccws/owrs killed itself repeatedly. They made it impossible for the Sarah Fishers of the world to compete. Of course they have created a car package that allows multiple manufacturers to make body components which will make the cars unique both in looks and in performance. Isnt this the same thing you panned as being wrong? So how do you "open it up" but keep costs affordable in a climate where dollars are tight for all series?
You have some interesting points, any answers?
You want a ratings BOOST? Jettison Jenkins now.
The CAR is UGLY...and although it resembles an "Indy Car", please. Place fans don't care what's on the track, only that there's cars on the track. Race fans DIG high tech, high performance 10/10ths on the edge stuff....not droning about in mileage races with momentum flat foot all-the-way-around the track races the IRL provides with those sleds.
But a league gone bad? A "running" joke. The IRL, call it what you will, is irrelevant and a joke. A laughingstock and it will not change until the Hulman girls sell. SELL!!!
Cowboy Randy can't fix it. No one cares. Major advertisers would rather link Danica to Nascar than IRL. No kidding; Would'nt you if you were trying to sell something? No one know what IRL is. And unfortunately no one cares. A joke. But no one is laughing!
Again, this 'Chief' fellow fails to answer questions, but rarely fails to pine for pie in the sky.
'FIND a replacement by conducting a WORLDWIDE search for a broadcasting team that doesn't sound like a bunch of guys out in a boat FISHING with their dad. Bob Jenkins sounds like he's doing voice-overs or talking to himself in the bathroom.'
Who do you have in mind? Who would be better?
You want a ratings BOOST? Jettison Jenkins now.'
So your contention is that simply by putting Bob Jenkins out to pasture the ratings would go up. By how much?
'The CAR is UGLY...and although it resembles an "Indy Car", please. Place fans don't care what's on the track, only that there's cars on the track. Race fans DIG high tech, high performance 10/10ths on the edge stuff....not droning about in mileage races with momentum flat foot all-the-way-around the track races the IRL provides with those sleds.'
In actual fact, the average fan cannot tell the difference between a 2010 Dallara and a 1995 Lola. They look like Indy Cars. This 'c-wagon' whining by a handful of elitist cart enthusiasts holds little weight. If you are enamored of expensive sexy cars, technology and split second precision, go watch Formula 1. I do not want to try and copy that. I want diversity and speed. I like Formula 1. I watch it. But that is not what I want Indy Car to try to emulate.
Oddly, Chief is not even the most extreme in terms of being challenged:
The Pacers are a joke. Pitiful to laugh at.
But a league gone bad? A "running" joke. The IRL, call it what you will, is irrelevant and a joke. A laughingstock and it will not change until the Hulman girls sell. SELL!!!'
A laughingstock to whom? That's a pretty large broad brush. Please analyze who is laughing. The Hulman-George family has stated the facility and the league are not for sale.
'Cowboy Randy can't fix it. No one cares. Major advertisers would rather link Danica to Nascar than IRL. No kidding; Would'nt you if you were trying to sell something? No one know what IRL is. And unfortunately no one cares. A joke. But no one is laughing!'
And yet, oddly, many of its most vocifereous, grammar and spelling challenged critics are positively obsessed with it. Under normal circumstances I would think that if you did not like something you would simply not think about it and it would notbe a part of your day. For example, I absolutely hate colonoscopies but I do not believe I have, even once, visited any medical forum to inform others how badly I dislike them. What purpose would be served? I choose instead to be mature. To bypass hypocrisy. To act, in short, like an adult.
I wish everyone who enjoyed the sport of motor racing would follow that example.
Oh great Oracle of Indy, the thing that truely separates us is our ability to THINK for ourselves. That thought process is not influenced by someone ramming flipflopping ugly cars with HP limited engines down our throats or needing to bow and genuflect when the great Hulman Dynasty tells us to.
I hope the IRL brass keeps an eye on you Defender....you have done more to damage relations between fan factions than EVER to heal ruptures that exist between them. Your pompous attitude is EXACTLY the same feeling fans get from 16th and Jonestown. Wanna heal the sport? Rid that attitude and perception.
How sad it is. Be thankful you have a positive focus on life and a virtue to pass on.
Your claims are not true BerwickDude. I want AOW to prosper. The history of this sport will ALWAYS reflect the creation of the IRL (subsequently now Indy Car) as the downfall of it all. Just because I choose to vocalize my disapproval of things in AOW does not make them any less valid than anyone elses. It's only important to the real powerbrokers of the sport IF they take the opinions and suggestions and actually do something with them. Otherwise, there's nothing but place fan hot air like Tuck, Iman, Defender and BerwickGuy.
The TRUTH!
As the old saying goes, those who do not remember history are forced to repeat it. you keep saying you want the IRL to run the latest technology regardless of the cost. how can you not say that history is important. As we all know, cart spent itself into its grave. That is extremely relevant.
The IRL changed all that. Whether it died, or bankruptED or merged into what is now Indy Car (IRL RIP), point is it sucks today and many fans are turned off by it
You INdY elitist snobs have all the answers. It's no wonder the sport is in shambles. Carry on carrying on....
oh well, here it is again...that God for clipboard.
"What's not important is what killed CART"...you're right Chief...what is important is its DOA!! HAAHAH
That is not an insult, that is a fact. I do not think anyone would back you in saying that there are no lessons to be learned from carts demise.
The fact the Hulman-George's are rumored to have spent $700 MILLION to keep the IRL afloat in red ink all these past 15 years is RELEVANT. It's relevant to INDIANA businesses and to ANY business that may want to do business with the IRL. The more you steer it about and try to deflect the IRL's problems on me, the more others see just how hateful and twisted you Indy place fans really are. Keep it up.
RUMOR: Miami INDY fans don't even want FREE tickets to Homestead..again. Go figure. More sacred cow action....but, keep putting your head in the sand my IBJ friends.
When will your righteous indignation about Indy Car include a cessation of continuously posting about it? If you do not care for it the amount of posting you offer about it defies common sense. I do not really believe anyone is trying to make anything about you other than to point out inconsistencies and/or hypocrisy in your ranting, or to occasionally guffaw at the overall ridiculousness of your responses.
'The fact the Hulman-George's are rumored to have spent $700 MILLION to keep the IRL afloat in red ink all these past 15 years is RELEVANT. It's relevant to INDIANA businesses and to ANY business that may want to do business with the IRL. The more you steer it about and try to deflect the IRL's problems on me, the more others see just how hateful and twisted you Indy place fans really are. Keep it up.'
Just once I wish someone would lay out an accurate accounting of expenses vs. revenue to get me to that magical half-a-billion+ loss fantasy. It just never ceases to entertain those of us whose synapses actually fire consistently. No one has ever offered such an accounting.
'RUMOR: Miami INDY fans don't even want FREE tickets to Homestead..again. Go figure. More sacred cow action....but, keep putting your head in the sand my IBJ friends.'
Where did you hear that? Cippaloni or some other balogna? As stated in another thread (also not anywhere close to the actual topic) I have not been keeping up with the Miami ticket sales. I suspect it will end up around the usual 35,000 or so.
All lies....35,000 at Homestead....bwahahahhaha!
I don't cut OVAL races, nor get poor TV ratings on a backwater 5th tier TV network. Nor can't get people to go to my races....that's all about the IRL. Iman, the issues remain...you refuse to accept the FAILURES IMS and Indy.
No apology needed anymore...I have Mr. Bernard with a final grade of F. As in failure and phoney.
Wheres the new car plans? The silly season starts Monday...you IRL defenders ready to defend?